Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction (30-40 words)
- Briefly introduce the concept of war and its ethical implications.
- Mention the significance of analyzing contemporary international conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, etc.) in understanding the ethics of war.
Example:
“The ethics of war is a long-debated issue, especially when international conflicts involve grave human costs. While war is generally seen as tragic, it can sometimes be justified under certain ethical frameworks, especially in situations involving self-defense, humanitarian intervention, or the prevention of atrocities.”
2. Justifications for War (60-70 words)
- Just War Theory: Define and explain Just War Theory (JWT), which outlines conditions under which war can be ethically justified.
- Discuss the four key principles of JWT, referencing relevant examples.
Examples:
- Just Cause: The NATO intervention in Kosovo (1999), justified as stopping ethnic cleansing.
Source: NATO official records, Human Rights Watch - Self-Defense: India’s intervention in Bangladesh (1971) to address refugee crises and safeguard borders.
Source: UN documents, Indian Ministry of External Affairs - Last Resort: Indo-Portuguese War (1961), when diplomatic efforts to integrate Goa failed.
Source: Historical accounts, Government of India archives - Right Intention: Interventions for human rights protection, like UN peacekeeping operations.
Source: UN reports on humanitarian interventions
3. Ethical Issues and Criticisms of War (70-80 words)
- Inherent Disregard for Human Life: Discuss the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and the moral implications.
Example: In the Israel-Hamas conflict (2023), more than 5,300 children were killed.
Source: UNICEF, reports from international human rights organizations - Violation of Rights: Highlight the abuse of prisoners and human rights violations, such as the Bataan Death March (1942).
Source: Historical accounts, International Red Cross reports - Negative Long-term Consequences: Discuss displacement and destruction in wars, such as the Syrian Civil War.
Source: UNHCR, BBC reports on the Syrian refugee crisis
4. Theoretical Discourses on War and Ethics (50-60 words)
- Just War Theory: Emphasize the structured approach to justifying war based on criteria.
- Realism: Highlight the perspective that war may be necessary for state survival, often at the expense of ethical considerations.
- Pacifism: Introduce the pacifist view that all wars are inherently unethical, advocating for peaceful conflict resolution.
- Discuss how these perspectives apply to real-world cases like the Russia-Ukraine war.
Source: Scholarly articles on political philosophy, UN peace initiatives
5. Conclusion (30-40 words)
- Restate the complexities of determining whether war can ever be ethical.
- Argue that while war may be ethically justifiable in rare circumstances, its devastating consequences often overshadow any moral justification.
- End with a call for a world where war is a last resort.
Example:
“While certain wars may be justified based on ethical frameworks like Just War Theory, the catastrophic consequences often associated with warfare make it an undesirable and tragic solution. A world that minimizes war as a rare, last-resort action is the ultimate ethical goal.”
Relevant Facts and Sources:
- NATO Intervention in Kosovo (1999)
- Justification: NATO’s intervention in Kosovo was based on preventing mass atrocities and ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Albanian population by Yugoslav forces.
- Source: Human Rights Watch, NATO official statements
- India’s Intervention in Bangladesh (1971)
- Justification: India’s military action was seen as a response to the mass refugee crisis created by the Pakistan military’s crackdown on Bengali nationalists, which was considered a threat to India’s security.
- Source: UN Documents, Indian Ministry of External Affairs
- Israel-Hamas Conflict (2023)
- Ethical Issue: The conflict saw indiscriminate attacks, resulting in significant civilian casualties, including the deaths of over 5,300 children.
- Source: UNICEF, UN OCHA, Human Rights Watch
- Bataan Death March (1942)
- Ethical Issue: The forced march of American and Filipino POWs by the Japanese military involved severe abuse, torture, and deaths, violating fundamental human rights.
- Source: Historical records, International Red Cross, US Army archives
- Syrian Civil War (2011–present)
- Ethical Issue: The war has led to massive displacement, economic destruction, and humanitarian crises, with millions fleeing Syria as refugees.
- Source: UNHCR, BBC reports, Amnesty International
- Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
- Ethical Issue: The use of nuclear weapons in WWII caused indiscriminate civilian deaths and long-lasting environmental damage, raising serious ethical concerns about mass destruction.
- Source: Historical accounts, International Committee of the Red Cross
Model Answer
The ethics of war is a deeply debated topic, especially in the context of contemporary international conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war or the Israel-Palestine conflict. While war is generally seen as a tragic and undesirable outcome, there are circumstances where it can be considered ethical, based on several justifications.
Just War Principles
Ethical Concerns
Despite these justifications, war often violates fundamental ethical principles. The deliberate targeting of civilians, such as in the Israel-Hamas war (2023), where thousands of children died, is considered morally unacceptable. Additionally, wars lead to long-term harm, such as displacement in the Syrian Civil War, and the use of weapons of mass destruction, like the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, raises serious ethical concerns.
In conclusion, while war can sometimes be deemed ethical under certain conditions, its devastating consequences often outweigh these justifications. The hope is for a world where war is a rare, last-resort option.